FANS REACT TO NEWS THAT BEN AFFLECK WILL NO LONGER BE BATMAN

Ben Affleck, Dark Knight no more. While there have been rumors swirling for years that Affleck would no longer play Batman, the news has (seemingly) been confirmed, and fans are reacting by thanking him for his work and lauding the "classy" way he stepped down. Some were bereft at the news though, with one calling it a "gut punch."

The 46-year-old retweeted a story saying that director Matt Reeves’ new The Batman would be made without him in 2021: "Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life."

Affleck first took on the iconic role in 2016’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. He then reprised the role in Suicide Squad and Justice League. He was set to direct and star in 2017’s The Batman, but stepped down saying he couldn’t "do both jobs."

But the star squashed rumors that he would be replaced in the role. Those rumors were reignited this past summer when he sought alcohol treatment for the third time; it seems they finally came to fruition.

Several famous stars have played the Dark Knight, including Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and Will Arnett (as the voice of Lego Batman).